On Thursday November 12 at 1 PM SL time at a theater in Rasta Ventures, Chantal Harvey hosted the showing of some of the finalists in the 48 Hour Machinima Film Project.
“This is the third time that the 48 Hour Film Project has included machinima,” Chantal told the audience, “and has come to Second Life to screen and celebrate this wonderful event. This past weekend was not a regular weekend at all, as it was divided in 48 hours, for the tream leaders and their crew, ... working hard to produce a machinima ... I recall one team leader saying ‘I love a good deadline,’ and I wonder if that still stands.”
For the 48 Hour Machinima, people had to do a film, using Second Life or another virtual world, such as the World of Warcraft and Grand Theft Auto games. A few elements were required for each film. Among the characters, it had to have a baker named Bobby or Bobbi Stewart. There had to be a book somewhere in the machinima. And one of the lines had to be “Are you sure about that?”
“People usually underestimate the production time of a film in real life,” Chantal explained, “and more so perhaps for a machinima. I always say there is little to no difference, technically speaking, between the two. Your story has to be strong and suitable, and camera work, light, acting, music, sound, edit, if you do a job right, it is done as thorough as in so-called real life. What makes it harder for machinima is the lack of facial expressions, so emotion is a hard thing to bring across. Each engine/platform has its own advantages and disadvantages. Big advantage, is of course no cranes, no helicopters, no rails needed to make a nice smooth pan.”
The finalist would be shown with other films in the larger 48 Hour Film project, which the Machinima contest was part of, “These films will be shown in Las Vegas, April 2010. ... I am so proud to be the machinima producer. It gives me the opportunity to help a little bit towards the goal I have set myself, to bring machinima to the attention of the world. The 48 Hour Film Project is a wonderful organization, and it has given an opportunity to many filmmakers to learn, and show their work. ... I want to thank the 48HFP for coming to virtual worlds and creating this opportunity for machinima. The producers of the first two editions were true pioneers, we can hold them responsible for the start of this wonderful event.
Which brings me to saying thanks, to Panther Chenille, our guest of honour tonight. For ever in your debt! And thanks, to Christina, Mark, and Ben.”
The audience included some noted people in SL media such as Delinda Dryssen and Pooky Amsterdam. Blue Linden was also there.
The first film shown was last year’s winner, “Merry Christmas Frank,” a tale about an elderly actor being thrown out of his regular Santa gig, saying the act’s been changed to scantily clad girls, and they “don’t need anyone about to be dead,” but the old man finds a way to get revenge. Then there was “Among the Badgerman” by Jun Falkenstein of Falcom Productions/Obvious Films, which was late but finished so allowed to be shown even if it didn’t qualify. Filmed in World of Warcraft, it shows a stereotypical TV nature show host coming upon a village of “badgermen,” treating them like simple primitives, completely oblivious to the fact they spoke perfect English and know some of the finer points of modern life.
Unfortunately, it was about this time technical difficulties began to crop up, some no longer seeing the films, just a gray or white screen. For others they took longer to load, sometimes the display cutting off before coming to a close. Using voice was not allowed, but chat was. “I've never been to a movie with so much talking... lolz!” “Shush, Trick.” (TributeTim Kwak throws popcorn at Trick) “I'm not saying anything” ... *brushes the popcorn off his hair.*
Other movies shown included “Bobby’s Wedding Cake,” by Team Machinimatrix, a lighthearted romance about a baker determined to foil the plans of his stonehearted master to marry a young girl. Then there was “Baking With Bobby,” by Team Sound’r, a comedy in which a TV show baker runs to the TV studio late for work, collides with a strange figure, and hastily picking up what he thinks is his cookbook, the results turn out to be a recipe for disaster.
Then there was “At Bakerys End” by Team Ciscovan, a dramatic tale of a man pondering love and losing it. From Team Rediculous Studios, “What of the Baker,” filmed in the Fallout 3 game, a Western. From Grey Matter Films, “The Wisk Girl,” considered of the Superhero Genre. The last machinima shown was the “Ring of False God,” by Team Clark, a suspense thriller. Two corrupt cops try to intimidate a captured enemy into revealing what a dead man was trying to hide.
Following the films, Chantal then announced the winners of the various categories. Team Clark got the most wins, such as in Best Directing and Best Cinematography. The runner-up for best film was “What of the Baker” by team Rediculous Sandwich Studios. Finally came the big moment, “BEST FILM is ... ‘Ring Of False God,’ by Team Clark.” The audience went up in cheers, lots of people saying congratulations. Chantal then continued, “Actually, you have all won!!!!!! ... And I mean it when I say you all have won.”
People continued to congratulate the winners, and Chantal for her work, before heading out.
Best Film "Ring of False God" - Team Clark
Runner-Up "What of the Baker" - Team Rediculous Sandwich Studios
Best Directing: Team Clark
Best Writing: Team Clark
Best Acting: Rediculous Sandwich Studios
Best Editing: Team Clark
Best Cinematography: Team Clark
Best Sound Design: Sound’r
Best Use of Character: Machinimatrix
Best Use of Prop: Sound’r
Best Use of Line: Ideajuice
Best Atmosphere: Ciscovan
Best Musical Score: Sound’r
Best Costumes: Machinimatrix
“It was such a pleasure to do this. I feel for the teams, as I know how hard it is. ... Bye, and welcome, and thanks ... phew!”
Bixyl Shuftan
Fingerstyle guitarist Frets Nirvana, US Military Veterans Group of SL, and Symbiotic Productions announced the fourth in the series of benefit concerts for the Wounded Warriors project. ... All proceeds collected ... will be paid out directly to Wounded Warrior Project, (WWP). WWP provides services and programs to the more than 30,000 troops that have been injured in recent conflicts to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life.
Wounded Warriors program has developed significantly over the last several years to include advocacy, benefits counseling, caregivers retreats, coping/family services, peer mentoring, warriors to work and many other programs for the benefit of United States wounded veterans.
Votslac Hax was among those who helped organize the event, “This is the fourth concert. And I believe the sims been here for quite some time.” He explained in the three previous concerts, there were notable musicians such as Craig Lyons, Maximillion Kleene, “This was the largest longest event (we held). It was designed to celebrate Memorial Day worldwide.”
